Perhaps the most controversial sale that ever happened in the music industry in recent memory was Scooter Braun's purchase of Big Machine Label Group, launching an all-out war between him and Taylor Swift.
Since then, many people have been curious, how much did Scooter Braun buy Taylor Swift's albums?
Taylor Swift Masters Recording Issue Explained
In a new in-depth report from Music Business Worldwide, the outlet broke down what transpired during the now-infamous sale of the indie label Big Machine Label Group (BMLG).
At the time BMLG went on sale, it had a price tag of $300 million. Back then it was reported that Universal Music Group went close to purchasing BMLG, which owned the master rights of the six albums of Taylor Swift - debut, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation.
However, it was revealed by the outlet's sources that only Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings was willing to buy it for the said price. However, it was also revealed only recently that it was purchased for $330 million.
Eventually, the sale was publicized, which prompted Taylor Swift to verbalize her frustrations and anger in a now-iconic Tumblr post.
"For years I asked, pleaded for a chance to own my work. Instead I was given an opportunity to sign back up to Big Machine Records and 'earn' one album back at a time, one for every new one I turned in. I walked away because I knew once I signed that contract, Scott Borchetta would sell the label, thereby selling me and my future," she wrote at the time. "I had to make the excruciating choice to leave behind my past. Music I wrote on my bedroom floor and videos I dreamed up and paid for from the money I earned playing in bars, then clubs, then arenas, then stadiums."
The $330 million deal of Braun's Ithaca Holdings was composed of the $300 million label group, and the additional $30 million was for the publishing operation.
READ ALSO : Taylor Swift Not 'Blindsided' of Big Machine Label Sale? Singer's Dad Reportedly Earned Massive Amount
How Much Did Scooter Braun Buy Taylor Swift's Albums?
Given the broken-down sum of the actual deal, it was also revealed by sources of Music Business Worldwide that Scooter Braun bought Taylor Swift's albums for $140 million.
"Taylor Swift's six-album master catalog at BMLG, say our sources, was individually valued by Braun's team as being worth $140 million," the outlet reported.
Fast forward to 2023, Taylor Swift has now released two albums from those Braun has bought in 2019-"Fearless (Taylor's Version)" and "Red (Taylor's Version)"-thanks to Kelly Clarkson's suggestion.
"Speak Now (Taylor's Version)" will then be released on Jul. 7, 2023, the third out of the six albums.
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